Sport: Football
Born: May 14, 1967
Died: June 22, 2022
Town: Kenilworth, New Jersey
Anthony Siragusa was born May 14, 1967 in Kenilworth, NJ. Quick, agile and enormous for his age, he was a good football and baseball player as a kid. He played the defensive line and handled kicking duties for the Brearly High Bears, eventually growing to a height of 6’3” and tipping the scales at close to 250 pounds. “Goose” (a play on the third syllable of his last name) was also the star of the school wrestling team, losing just once in 98 matches and winning a state championship in 1985. Tony’s brothers, Pete and Elio, were also skilled grapplers.
Tony accepted a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh and played defensive tackle for the Pitt varsity four years beginning in 1986. He was plagued by knee problems throughout his college career and actually had the ACL removed from his left leg. That was a huge red flag for NFL teams and, in 1990, Tony went undrafted.
A handful of teams expressed an interest in Tony as a free agent, including the Eagles. He was tempted to play for Buddy Ryan, but feared he would never get off the bench with so many stars ahead of him on the depth charts. Instead, he signed with the Colts. A doctor in Indianapolis predicted his knee would last for two NFL seasons, maybe three. He played seven for the Colts, at nose tackle and defensive tackle. In 1995, the team made it all the way to the AFC title game.
Tony grew unhappy with the coaching staff and management in Indianapolis. He signed a free-agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 1997. Tony was a key member of the defense that helped the Ravens win the AFC Championship in 2000 and beat the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. He retired after the 2001 season. During his 12-year career, Tony’s weight ballooned to 340 pounds. Despite his balky knees, he maintained his quickness and tenacity to the very end.
Tony was a big personality, popular with fans and the press, and a serial practical joker. He transitioned easily to a career as an actor and TV personality, and was a sideline reporter for FOX NFL broadcasts for 13 seasons. In 2012, Tony published his memoir, Goose on the Loose. In 2013, he became a spokesman for Depend for Men. Tony also hosted home renovation show Man Caves.
In the spring of 2022, shortly after his 55th birthday, Tony died from heart failure at his Ortley Beach home. His father had passed away from heart issues when Tony was 21.